Molding apparatus



April 29, 1952 Filed April 14, 1947 s. FLAM MOLDINC APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet l AT TOPNEY April 29, 1952 s. FLAM 2,594,760

MOLDING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOP /lg. 2 Sep/en F/am A ATTOPNEY Filed April 14, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 28 wf-m -l v M INV E NTO e jij-Zig' 5 5 /7e/7 F/am BY mw ATTOPNEY MOLDING Filed April 14, 1947 LAM APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Shree?l 4 un l E 232f` 213 .fzzzo 254 245 26o 255 22% za@ j i V I N E' N To l2 Z7 i 4 ATTOPNEY April 29, 1952 s. FLAM MOLDING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN-ror SL/v F/am BY w AT ToQNEY 17T/kg. 5

April 29, 1952 s. FLAM MOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 14, 1947 INVENTO? V1 WW H/Mw T. mf/M .h A

April 29, 1952 s. FLAM 2,594,760

MOLDING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1947 9 Sheets-Shree?l 7 INVENTOE Sfephen F/vm ATTOIPNEY April 29, 1952 s. FLAM 2,594,760

MOLDING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1947 '9 sheets-sheet s v L I /63 V95 i/96 '19 INVENTOQ AT TO PN EY April 29, 1.952 s. FLAM MOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 14, 1947 INVENTOI? S ATTOPNEY Patented Apr. '29, 1952 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,594,760 "MOLDING APPARATUS Stephen Flam, 'Sherman Oaks, Calif.; John-Flam, Joseph Flam, ,andi-August Flam executors of :said Stephen-Flam, deceased nppncitaonlaianizi, Massimino: *7411.222

toiaims. (ones-41) This. invention relates to block molding `machines, and more particularly'to a type in which blocks, tile, brick, or slabs areformedifromplastic compositions, such as cement,iconcrete, or porous rock.

It is znow well known to fprovidel a yviloratory support for'the 'mold during theprocess of'illing the mold. Usually, .there is provided astripper mechanism towhich the lled mold is moved'byr a transfer mechanism .to astation for: pressing: the molded article out-of the mold.

.An object of this invention is .to Y'provide/ fior stripping cast objects from "molds .by aidof a mechanism that can exert a largeforce to start the stripping action, :and that can, thereafter, rapidly move the stripper through the remainder of its stripping action.

Another object of this inventionis the proL vision 'of .stripper mechanism forv molds, comprising dual lever mechanism initially v`operating to exert a large `force to start the stripping-action and thereafter to accelerate the movement of the stripper.

In such apparaus formolding blocks utilizing a stripper, the upper surfaces of the blocks are substantially entirely engagedby the stripper device to exert a `substantiallyuniform'stripping action over the block area. Accordingly, the lled mold must be 'quite accuratelyialig'ned with thestripper. Since atransfer frameisiused'to lift the lled mold from the'cas'ting station and to move itunderneath thestripper, the necessity of alignment also requires that `ti'ieinoldassur'ne a definite position with respect kto the transfer device. It is another objectf'ofthis invention'to provide a transfer device that Ycan cooperate eiectively'yto maintain the required alignment of the mold 'to the stripper.

AThis :invention possesses many 'other advantages, .andha'sother objectswhich may be .made more clearlyv apparent :fror'nx-aconsideration of .one Aernbodirnent of .the invention. :For 'this purpose" there is 'shown a -form /inuthe 'drawings accompanyingv and forming ypart-of the present specic'a'tion. This form' will novv bedescribed in .idetaiL illustrating the general vprinciples Vof the .invention; 'btit'is to be 'understood that this detailed description i'snot to .beta'ken `in a limiting sense, since 'the scope of this .inven- :tion is best, dened fby the appended claims.

Fig. 3 .is "asectionalwview, `taken alongplane 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 isa sidedelevationalviewxpartiyiilffsection, taken alongplaneil--IL ofi-Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 isa sideelevational-viewrpartlyfinfisection,taken along planea-'5 otFig. 11, and-showing the pallet vsupport in loaded position;

Fig. 61is `an elevational view',` in enlarged' det-ail, of the mold Vframe elevating mechanism;

Fig. '7'.is aA sectional vicwztakenlalongpla-ne 'l-T of JFig. 2; Y

Fig. 8 is a .sectional -lvievv taken* along plane 8-'3 IOf JE'S. n2;

Fig. 9 fis an .elevationalview takenfalon-g.; plane S-Siof'lig. 1; i

Fig. l10 is yan enlargeddetail, partly in section, and partly `broken away, ofthe mold clamping mechanism;

Fig. 11 -is a ldiagrainmaticView takenk along plane H--II off-Fig. 1; l

Fig. 12 is a detailed diagrammatic view-ofthe mold centering mechanism; g A l '.Fig. 13 --is an .elevational .view, in enlarged. detail; of thepress.levermechanism; A

Fig. 14 is an'elevation-al'view, in enlargedfdetail, of the press Vlever :mechanism in another position of movement;v

Fig. 415 is ase'ctional fview, similar to. liig.

with the parts'disengaged; K

Fig. 16 is a sectional-view, simil ar:to1Fig. 8, with the` parts disengaged;

Fig. 17is anenlargedsectional-vievv-of aportion'of the vviloratoiyimechanism;

Fig. 18 is a detail Yelevational viewfof; the-.adinstable mountingV for 'the moldgfsupport fand Fig. 19 -is "a sectional-:view taken. along iplane {Sl-i9 of Fig. 14. Y V v In the drawings,:moldstructure `I5 (Figs. and 3) is shown.asproviding-mold--spaces.forfthe molding of one por more .blocks, l bricks, sslabs, z or tiles fromplastic material, Suchas v'concreteor cement of appropriate proportions, .Ther mold posed frame vI6 `s upportc'ed 5to' `pe'revolublev about an axis il, whereby the :compactlyfilled mold may heinoved from the iillingistation l'zthrongh an angle Pof to the vpress .andgstripper imesh anism 'la Theniolded.blockfzlfis then stripped fromtthe-moldfon'to the collapsiblezpallet 2:| 'and finally removed by an operator. 'fTheIhoii'zoiital frame i6 is freturned to fits initial po'sitionat `the filling station with' the mold? in lpositionlt'o he again nlled and compacted 'by thelling mechl anism .later to bevdesribed. f

The relative positionin'g'f the llir'ig'andfstrip;

ping mechanism at substantially right angles, and the pivoting of the mold supporting frame on the axis of the angle, expedites the manual operations and increases block production. By using an open-ended mold structure l5 which permits filling and stripping of the mold without inversion, the block molding operation is still further hastened.

A cylindrical post or column 22 (Figs. i, 2, 3 and 6) provides the b-efore mentioned axis I1. The column 22 rises vertically from the base or foundation, said base comprising the following elements: column 22 is welded at its lower end to plate 23 (Figs. 2 and 3), said plate being bolted in the plural manner 24 on horizontally disposed dual base members 25 and 26, which may be conveniently formed of angle irons or bed plates. These base members are disposed in parallel relationship (Fig. 2). The ends or" bed plates 25 and 26 have welded thereto angle iron members 21 and 28, which members also form a part of the heavy foundation.

Adjacent the ends of parallel base plates 25 and 26 is supported the mold lling and vibrating mechanism later to be described. 'ihe stripper and press-er I9 is supported by the aid of the plates 25 and 26 in a manner now to be described. Welded to the top of plate 23, and projecting therefrom in a right angular manner with respect to bed plates 25 and 25, is a hollow base bar 29, said member being welded at its outer end to a vertically disposed channel iron 30. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, the brace 29 may be conveniently form-ed of a pair of angle irons Weldedtogether. Base member 23 is Welded to vertical support 30 at a point near the lower end of said support, with the result that said base portion 29 is elevated from the ground. The lower end of support 39 has a steel loot member 3l welded thereto in a manner to form a ground support.

A horizontally disposed brace 32, such as an I beam; is welded at 33 to the upper end of said vertical support 30, the other endAof said brace being welded to the upper end of an elongated clamp section 34 surrounding the upper end of the cylindrical post 22. A second brace or channel 35 is spaced some distance below the beforementioned brace 32, and is welded at one end at 35 to vertical support 35, and at its other end to the lower end of the elongated clamp member 34. Both of these braces may be made from channel irons. An opposed clamp section 31, shaped similarly to section 34, is bolted in the plural manner shown at 38 to the first-mentioned clamp 34. This manner of connecting the elevated braces 32 and 35 to the upper end of the cylindrical post 22 completes the rigid framework upon which the press and mold stripping mechanism, later to be described, is mounted.

YThere will now be described the frame support for the mold I5, and which is rotatably mounted on the column 22. This frame serves, as will be described hereinafter,` to move the filled mold to the stripper mechanism. I

Tel-escoped upon the column 22 below the before-mentioned elongated clamp members 34 and 31 is a pipe 39. The pipe 39 Vhas bushings 43 and 4l pressed into its upper and lower ends 42 and 43 respectively. These bushings ensure a bearing fit for the pipe upon the column, but thylstill permit vertical movement thereof b-etween the upper stop collar 44 and lower stop collar` 45. Said stop collar 44 is clamped to Y umn 22 in the manner shown at 45 (Fig. 1)

The enlarged detail (Fig. 6) shows clearly the mechanism for elevating or lowering the telescoping pipe 39 on cylindrical column 22, whereby mold l5 may be raised or lowered with respect to the vibrator mechanism. The clamp or collar 45 is securely positioned on post 22 by means of the bolted connections 41 and 48 at a point near the lower end thereof. Extended horizontal portion 45 of the collar 45 has a vertically disposed U-shaped ear 59 welded thereto. Pivoted as at 5l to the ear 59 is an elongated foot-operated lever or pedal 52. This pedal, as

shown most clearly in Fig. 2, extends conveniently for operation in a diagonal manner between the lling and stripping stations. The inner end of lever 52 has a pipe-engaging and actuating portion 53, either formed as a part thereof or welded thereto. The portion 53 conforms in shape to column 22, and is movable thereon under the lower end of the pipe 39 in a manner to raise or lower said pipe Within the limits of stop collars 44 and 45. It is vapparent that variable adjustment of the telescoping cylinder 39 may be obtained by adjusting the position of stops 44 and 45.

In order to support the mold transfer frame by aid of the angularly adjustable pipe section 39, a pair of arms 54 and 55 (Figs. 2 and 3) are joined, as bywelding, to diametrically opposite points on pipe 39. Dual cover plates 56 and 51 are attached to the upper and lower edges of plates 54 and 55, as well as to the telescoping pipe 35. Plates 55 and 51 extend slightly beyond the ends of members 54 and 55. End plates 58 and 59 are attached to the projecting outer ends of vertical plates 54 and 55, said end plates extending horizontally beyond these plates (Fig. 18). The end plates 58 and 59 complete the formation of a rigid metal shoulder-type supporting mechanism for the mold support or frame I6.

Frame i5 comprises horizontally disposed spaced parallel side members G9 and Gl. Member El is an angle iron, while member 60 is a fiat bar. The side members are attached at their outer ends (Figs. 1 and 2) by a connecting bar 52. The manner in which this bar E2 connects the side memf ers 30 and 5l is perhaps best shown in Fig. 2. An angle E3 is welded, at 54, to the inner side of member 59 adjacent its outer end. One end of the connecting bar 52 is connected to the angle 53 by means of the bolted connection 95. To the inner side of angle member 6l, adjacent its outer end, is welded a channel iron member 55. The bar 52 is connected to side 6I by means of the bolt 51.

The inner ends of the side pieces 60 and 6| of the mold supporting frame are detachably and adjutably connected to the be cre-mentioned end plates 58 and 59 of the rigid shoulder support. (Figs. 3 and 18.) Other views (Figs. 1 and 2) also show the adjustable connecting means for the frame sidepieces 60 and 6l. The inner ends of side frame portions 60 and B! have welded thereto end members 58 and E9. The end members 68 and 69 are adjustable horizontally between dual, vertically disposed clamps 10 and 'Il for the member 58 and vertical clamps 12 and 13 for the member 69. These plural vertical clamps, forming adjustable supporting means for the inner end of the mold supporting frame, have plural bolted`connections 14 with end plates 58 and 59, as clearly shown in the several views heretofore referred to.

It is obvious that the clamping mechanism described secures the inner ends of the mold supportfupon the (rigid shoulder Ymechanism Amade iup the upper and lower sides of framememberti` in s.. f

aspace'd manner to adjust preciselythe: position of the mold carried upon the outerandoperating end of :the fra-melt. .The beforeementioned'adj-justment screws l5 vand l5, as well as 1the 1welded :nuts-1l and 18, control the position .of the inner .endi of ythe frame.

Similar .adjustmentscrews ,19and 80, as well as welded nuts 8| and 82,;controlthe position of the inner end 69 of frame or :side member .6|.

.Detachably supported, or Vcarried near the outer end of the mold support I6, isthe mold I5. Referring to Figs. 2.and v3, thismold comprises vertical side members 84 andend portions 85. A top ormold-supporting plate 36 -(Figs. 2 and 3) is welded on the top offrarne members vstand a5. This top plate v86 forms flanges 8l and 88 extending beyond the ends andsides of the` moldframe. .The side flanges ,are .shown at 89. and 99. v,The

-anges 89 and 99 are adaptedto :rest upon the upperedgesof sidev frames` @t and `6l. .Sideframei L.

56|) hasarest pad A365 V (Figs. v5 and-.12) that contacts the lower side of plate 86 when the frame .supports themold I5. ,Flange 89` abuts the .delivery endof hopper mechanism of any conventional design. However, in the lowered position of transferframe I6, the mold plate 85 is free of the `iframe, as shown in Fig. 3. The flange 9i) has ya specific, detachable aligning connection with side arm 6|. This alignment ensures accurate placing ofthe mold I5 on the arms Eil and 9| so that, when the mold is carried to the stripper mechanism, the stripper will-be in proper position to strip the mol `Side vangle iron member 6| has a horizontal flange SI-a, said portion 6|-a providing, through lthe mechanism now to be describeda support for the-flange Eiland therefore one side of the mold. Upon side 'frame member til-a, at spaced points beneath the overhanging flange St, .is centering lug k9| and positioning member 92 .(Figs. 7, 8, 12, 15 andl). The lug9| has a conical centering portion. Member 92, formed of an ,angleirom is arranged to have its corner lor ridge radial with respect to the axis of pin or lug 9|. Both the centering lug and lpositioning member are welded to the supporting Aframe at 93'and94.

IUpon the under-surface of vthe overhanging 1flange 90 of the mold plate 86 is welded a coopkeratlng centering block 95, having a tapered space into'whiohlug 9| can fit snugly. This centering block'is fashioned, as shown at 91B, to cooperate with the centering lug 9| definitely to fix and supportone end of the mold plate upon the side frame BI-a. The positioning member 92 directly Aunderlies an overhead, similarly shaped positioning member 91. The overhead positioning member 91 is attached to the underside of the flange 90 by aid of angle iron 98 welded to flange 90, as wellasutomember 91. Since.bothmembers 9| 6 Yand .9.2 have .sloping :surfaces vcorresponding.to sloping .surfaces on-members .95.and .91 as frame I6 .is raised, the .mold plate is automatically moved into the .restraining positionof Figs.z7;and :8. Any slight misalignment prior .to the engagement of frame |.6 with the mold is automatically corrected. 'The pin vand groove restraint..=.thus formed ensures againstboth angulanandilinear 'misalignment This positioning :means might vjust-.as wellcbe Vformed in some other shape Aand still accomplish the result desired; namely, the denite positioning* and aligning. vof .the moldV plate, and-.thusrthe `molduponthe frame I6, :whenever itis `desired `thatcthe` mold and 'frame have an engagingeonnection.

Figs. 15 and 16 in the drawings show thecipp mold plate, and ythus the overheadpositioningsand lcentering portionsseparated slightly. Thissepa- `ration,:and the reason therefore, will `'bedescribed `in Adetail later; and it is thought sufficient :tosay nowthat movement ofthe foot-operatedfleverSZ through various connections, and nallytheside wmembers 69 and SI, will permitraising andflow- .ering of the mold. It is suggested here that-,the mold, when placed upon asupport for theiilling operation later to be described, maylbecomade- .tached from the frame I6 by vlowering oftheside members 6i) land GI, thus moving the'centering lug 9| and positioning member S12-from theirfcooperating overheadY position as shown in Figs.V 15 and 16. The side framel has vpluralapertures 99Y therein, permitting @any iiuidlgatheringupon the angle to draintherefrom.

The mold I5 has vertically disposed/dividing members |63 and IGI in Figs. 2.and 3,.the.same permitting molding of four blocks in thesingle mold. Of course, either a single block, or a plural number of blocks, might just as well be-formed in the mold by rearrangement of the dividingportions. Plural mold cores |02 are `welded tomold core supporting bars |93, in turn welded upon top mold plate 8S.

A vibratory mold support-,land filling stationis disposed upon the foundation, directly :rbeneath the mold and supporting frame, when said 'mechanism is in an abutting position immediatelyfadjacent the conventional hopper mechanismlfnot shown).

The vibratory mold support is made-up. ofthe following parts:

Four vertically vdisposed angleironllegs TIM, m5, |86, and I0? are weldedzto the'sidesofzparallel base members 25 and 26,. `and may begappropriately braced, as indicated `at |94' k(FigiS). '.These uprights form corner posts, A' .pairifof metal plates H38 (Figs. 2 and 3) -are weldedftogithe upper ends of the before-mentionedlegs that-extend transversely below the mold liandbeyond the posts. These plates vIlla forma lstationair-y mounting for the vibrating parts of the machine.

Upon each of the ends-of thestationaryplates H39 a rubber vibration damper vH39 (see also Fig. 9) is disposed and connected `theretocbyfmeans of the plural bolt and nut connections IIB. fInasmuch as these fourvibration damperszare'identical, as well as connected in the samemanneriit is necessary to describe but one of them. AIn Figs. 1, 9, and 1'? of the drawings, the vibration dampers or iloating support members are shown in their relative positions and in enlarged detail.

A mold-supporting plate I I I isspaced fromr'the stationary plates |98 by means of the vertically disposed steel :angles |.|2 and |I3vvelded to .the mold supporting .plate v| I I and .depending-.downwardly and inwardly to form the dual anges H4 and H5. The angles H2 and H3 extend downwardly from the side edges of the moldsupporting plate H| (Fig. 1). The rubber elements |09 are made preferably from synthetic rubber able to withstand the constant vibrations without material deterioration. They are short blocks of substantially rhomboid cross-sections, two being provided at each mount. The inner vertical side of the members |09 are vulcanized to the vertical sides of channel 300 fastened, as by bolts HB, to the flange H4. The outer vertical sides are similarly vulcanized to the vertical flanges 30| of the angle irons 302 that are bolted to plate |08. Thus, the mold-supporting plate has a floating connection with the stationary plate |08.

Means for vibrating the mold supporting plate I I is provided in the following mechanism. The stationary plates |08 are apertured in the manner best shown, perhaps, at |08-a (Figs. 3, 11, and 17). Dual bearing supports H1 and H8 are fastened, by means of the plural bolt members |22, to the inwardly projecting flanges I I4 and H5 of vibratory mold plate I 'I'he dual supports H1 and ||8 carry the outer ends of a rotary shaft |23 (Fig, 3). Dual collars |24 position the rotary shaft, and upon said shaft are xedly secured a plurality of adjustable eccentric weights |25.

Mechanism for rotating shaft |23 is provided in conventional electric motor |26, having the plural bolted connections |21 with the base members 25 and 26. Pulley |28 pinned to the rotary shaft |23, a-nd pulley |29 pinned to the motor shaft, are connected by means of belt |30. Rotary movement of the shaft |23, by virtue of the eccentrically mounted weights thereon, transmits a vibratory movement to the mold support plate HI without transmitting any vibration to the stationary plate or the base and supporting means therefor.

In Figs. 3 andr l0 of the drawings, there is shown manually operated mechanism for either clamping the mold I upon the supporting plate I I, or releasing it ina manner to permit elevation thereof and transfer to the press and stripper mechanism. This manually operated clamping mechanism includes supporting brackets |3| and |32 welded to angle irons H2 and H3 which, in turn, support the plate'Hl. Brackets |3| and |32 are disposed intermediate the ends of the angle irons H2 and H3. Pivoted at |33 and |34 toupwardly projecting ears |35 and |36 on the before-mentioned brackets |3| and |32 are dual clamps |31 and |38. Each bracket |3| and |32 has spaced ears |35, |36 between which extend the pivot pins |33 and |34. The clamps and jaw portions |39 and |40 thereof project inwardly in a manner to engage or release the lateral Aflanges of angle irons 85-a and 85-b welded to the lower ends of the mold frame.

Mechanism for actuating the clamps is provided in dual toggle arm members or clevises |4| and |42 which are pivotally connected at |43 and |44 to links |45 and |46. These links |45 and |46 are, in turn, pivoted to clamps |31 and |38 at |41 and |48 respectively. Toggle arms |4| and |42 are pivotally connected, at their lower ends at |43 and |50, to lugs |5| and |52 adjustably screwthreaded into outward projecting portions |53 and |54 of brackets |3| and |32.

Means for synchronizing the operation of the dual clamp and jaw members previously described is provided in a transversely disposed rod |55, pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the toggle pins |43 and |44. This rod extends through slots formed in the vertical legs of angle irons H2, H3. Means for varying the length of the rod |55, and therefore the bite of jaws |39 and |40, is found in a turnbuckle adjustment mechanism |56 and threaded lugs |5| and |52. A handle support |51 is welded to the outer side of toggle |4|, said support being adapted to receive a manually operated handle member |58. A stop |59 on link |45 limits the inward movement of travel of the operating handle.

In Fig. 10 of the drawings, the operating handle has been moved to an outward position and the toggle mechanism, broken, with the result that the jaws |30, |40 of the clamping members are released from the mold frame; andthus the mold may be elevated and transported by means of its support to the stripping mechanism. In Fig. 3 of the drawing, the operating handle |50 has been moved to a substantially upright position wherein the toggle members |4| and |42 have been forced to a straight line position, with the jaws |36 and |40 clamped upon the projecting flanges of the mold frame. Since the toggle links |4|, |45 and |42, |46 are substantially straightened when the mold |5 is clamped, a very large clamping force is secured.

It is, of course, apparent that vibration of the mold-supporting plate, and hence the mold, will operate to compact the molding material densely in the mold. The clamping mechanism heretofore described is absolutely necessary to hold the mold upon its support during the filling operation.

The press and stripper mechanism is carried on the rectangular frame portions, including the base 20 and vertical columns 22 and 30 (Fig. 1). The press mechanism includes a press plate |60 (Figs. 1 and 4) supported for recprocatory vertical movement in the press frame. Dual, vertically disposed rods |6| and |62 are welded to the press plate at their lower ends. These vertically disposed rods project upwardly through the cross braces 32 and 35, being supported in a slidable manner by means of the tubular supports or bushings |63 and |64 in cross piece 35 and other tubular supports |65 and |66 in cross member 32. These elongated bushings, which are in the nature of tubular supports, permit vertical elevation and depression of the rods |6| and |62 in a manner to accomplish the press operation.

Rods |6| and |62 have secured to their upper ends, as at |61 and |68, a cross head |69 which, in turn, has an upwardly disposed link |10 pivoted thereto at an intermediate point |1|, the upper end of said link |10 being pivoted at |12 to the inner end of a counterbalanced lever |13. Lever |13 is pivoted at |14 to the upper end of a vertically disposed standard |15 welded at its base |16 to cross piece 32. A counterweight |11 is secured to the outer end of lever |13. y i

Manually operated lever and cam mechanism for depressing and elevating press plate |60 will now be described. A cross piece |18 (see also Figs. 13, 14 and 19), forming a support for the lever mechanism, is secured to rods |6| and |62 by means of the dual collars |19 and |80 adjustably connected in the manner clearly shown at |0| and |82. These collars, and therefore the member |18, are thus vertically movable'along with stems |6| and I 62. Member |18has a wide slot 3 I0. n

The specific lever mechanism is best shown in Figs. 1, 13, 14. and 19 of the drawings. Fig. 13 illustrates the beginning of the stripping opera,-

ascenso tion, and Fig'.,14 illustrates the end period thereof. Manuallyl operated 'press'` lever |82 Y is pivotally mounted--at1|84 on cross piece-|18. This pivot |84 formed 'by a transverse pinv |85 supported in thebefore-m'entioned cross piece V| 18, and extends acrossslot3l8. The pin |85 is flattened, intermediate its length, to receivethe bifurcated ends |86 and |81 of a short actuating lever |88 carrying *av roller |89 mounted in clevis 3|| onthe end of lever |88. Accordingly, as handle |83 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the roller |89 rolls on plate' |9| and the member |18'is urged downwardly; The inwardly projecting ends |86 and |81 oftheshort lever |88 are clamped upon the flattened portion of pin 85 by means of the dual boltl and connecting members |99. The roller cam portion. |89 of the short lever engages the under-surface of a cam plate 9| Weldedjuponthe lower `side of cross piece 32.

. A second, and somewhat longer lever |92, is mounted for rotation on shaft I 85, but it is moved by interconnected parts between it and the short lever |86. This lever |92 is bifurcated to embrace'the lever |89. A plate |94 is welded on lever` |92, said plate having dual, threaded nuts |95 vwelded thereon in such manner that threaded adjustment screws 9G may be supported therein, with their' inner ends projecting to engage arm |81 of short lever |88 on opposite sides of shaft |85. A cam roller |91 is carried on the operatingfend of lever |92. A stop |98, welded upon cross piece 32, determines the position of upward movement of the press' or lever mechanism heretofore described.

It would seem clear from consideration of Figs; 1,13 and 14 that downward movem'entor press action of plate |60 vis accomplished by manual movement of press lever |83. Actuation of lever |83 'andengagement of the cam roller |89 with the cam plate |9| moves the cross piece |18, the dual rods Il, |52, and attached press plate |68 downwardly iny a somewhat gradual manner to exert great force on the block. Referring speciiically to Fig. 14, we find the longer lever |92 has "been moved by the'manual member'liiS to a position where the cam roller |91 engages the camplate |9|. Further downward movement of the manual lever |83 hastens the descent" of press plate |60 and attached stripper mechanism.

By'provison of the adjustment screws |96, the relative angular position of arms |88 and |92 can be determined so as tov adjust the point where the long arm |92 takes over the function of moving the presser assembly downwardly.

Briefly, thelever mechanism, through the speciiic positioning of the shortv and longer' lever parts, operates to exert a slow, but powerful, pressing action which is initially desired in stripping thev blocl-:s from the mold. Following the initial pressing operation, it is possible to accelerate the downward movement of the press plate by having the longer.' lever |92 engage the cam platez|9| and thus to hasten the stripping action. A stop lug' |99 controls the limitfof operative movement oflever |92.`

The press plate |68 (Figs. 1,.2 and 4) has adjustably mounted thereon stripper mechanism of' any design or shape desired. In the present instance, we find a supporting member 200 having the downwardly depending spacer bolts 29| Welded at their lower ends to plural stripper plates 202. Theseplates are-formedaccurately to conform to the upper areas of the molded blocks.V Supporting member 2|i8has a detachable connection with press plate |91)v through the .fil

1101' plural-bolt and nut'connections 283. Inzliigs.y 1', 2, and 4, thestripper plates 202. are designed to engagethe uppersurface of the.. blocks contained inthe mold and thereaftenbyrst gradual and then accelerated movement,y to--strip theblocks from the-mold-onto thepallet 2|.

Ther press andv stripping` actionfollows.n the transfer of the filled moldby itssupportfrom the-filling stationto aposition directly-beneath the stripper mechanism. To ensure positive aligned location of the'mold-beneath the stripper plates, there-is provided the following mechanism for supportingv andv securing the movablev mold frame on -the -press frame. I

This mechanism includesfFigs. 1 and 5). aver-- tically Y disposed member '.294 welded at its .lower end to beam-29, there-beingy an.additional.-brac ing 205 welded at. one. end-tothe.verticalxmember 294; as at 20,6, and at itsother. end 291 to the vertical frame lsupport'l) of the press-mechamsm. Aplate2818-is adjustably connected tothe vertical memberr 294, as at-299- Plate-208has bolted thereon, centering memberN or.. lug., 2| |f. Referring .to Fig. 1, the connecting bar (i2-for. side members 60 and l|5|u is notched. inthe concaveY manner shown -at 2 I2.

It is apparent thatmovement-of the mold support to a position. underlying the stripper mechanism'will result in engagement of "the aligning lug 2 with notch2 |2and thus to definite-positioning of the lled-moldebeneath the stripper plates. A stop -3|2 engages'thefleft-hand-,sideof lug Y2 and further assistsfin ensuringaccurate` alignment betweenthe frameJ Pei-andthe stripperY mechanism;

The pallet-supporting mechanism, althoughshownin assembled relationship with the press and stripper mechanism (Figs 1 and 2), is moreclearly shown in Figs. 4 andxof the'fdrawings. Fig. 5 shows the -loaded pallet 2|'6, blocks 3|=5 having been deposited thereonwhile thegpallet was under the stripper mechanism. yThe'support generally referred to heretoforeas 21 comprises Va pallet-supporting frame Y213; said frame" having `adjustably secured to its forward'edgeg: as shown at 2M '(Fig. l) a mold pallet positioning frame member 2 |5. The'pallet'2`l`isfadaptedf to rest on frame 2|3 with one edge against the member 2|5.

Mechanism'for collapsibly supporting thepallet-fraine'2`l3 is providedin'the following mechanisrnzdual pallet-supporting rods 2'|1 and 218 are welded tothe under-surfacel of tliepallet, said rods slidingA vertically through dual'. elongated supportingtubes- 2|94 and' 228 secured; as at' 22|, and 222, to a carriage 228 movable-transversely in spaced frame track members223 and 224.. The tracks 223, 22d are connected at' their'forward ends to the hollow beam 219by means ofthe dual attachment angles 225 and 22.8,.suitably bolted to the tracks,.as at .221 and 228,.saidlangl`es being welded'. to,Y thebeam .29 (Figs. .4.and15l..

The tracks 223Y and 221| areU-shaped. in cross section, theoutwardly projecting ends.k thereof having a: plural Weldedconnectionl-with crosspieces 22S-a and.ver.tically disposed dualv supportsl or leg, members 226-0'. and221-a. The carriage 228,v upon which dualp-ailet supportingrods 2|1 and 2 |8 nd tubular support, has f plural roller members 229 uponfeither side thereof movable in .the-before-mentioned U-shaped frame members 223 and.224. This reciprocatory rolling movement of the carriage 228 in the frame members'is best shown in Fig.5fof-the;-drawings. In

this way, the loaded pallet 2 i6 can be moved out from under the stripper mechanism.

A counterbalanced mounting for the palletis provided as follows: downwardly depending, laterally disposed pairs of strips 23| and 232, having rollers 233 and 234 pivoted thereonfengage in a sliding manner the forwardly projecting links 235 and 236. Links 235 and 238 are pivoted at 231 and 238 to dual pairs of vertically disposed supports 239 and 240, said supports being welded at their lower ends upon the carriage 228. Links 235 and 235 are connected by means of a cross member 24| upon which dual depending short links 242 and 243 are pivoted intermediate the length of said cross piece (Fig. 1).

The lower ends of the short links 242 and 253 are connected by means of the pivot 244 to the inwardly projecting end of-counterbalance lever 245 which, in turn, has a pivotal mounting 245 at the upper end of a pair of vertically disposed supports 241 on the carriage 228 (Fig. 1). A counterweight 248 is adjustably secured as at 249 to lever 245. Y

The weight of blocks 3|5 is sunicient to depress the frame 2|3 to the position of Fig. 5 against the action of the counterweight 248 and thus clear the machine for further operation. A stop 23|! limits downward movement of counterweight arm 245. In this process, rollers 234 roll on arms 235, 236, whereby the weight of the blocks is eifective to raise the counterweight 248.

A cross member 250 connects the inwardly projecting ends of links 235 and 235 and, attached to this member at an intermediate point 25|, is a trigger 252 having a screw-threaded adjustable mounting 253. Y

Latch mechanism is provided for holding the pallet supporting carriage 223 in its forward position on the tracks 223 and 224, with the pallet 2|6 in operative position directly beneath the mold, mold support, and stripper mechanism.

This mechanism includes a latch 25d pivoted at 255 on an upwardly projecting lug 255 secured to the forward end of the carriage 228. The hooked portion 251 of the latch is adapted to engage the upwardly extending lip 258 on cross bar 259, connecting the inner ends of tracks 223 and 224 (Fig. 4). The disengaged position of the latch and carriage is shown in Fig. 5. Actuation of the latch 254 is obviously accomplished by downward movement of the trigger 252, whereupon the carriage 228, supporting the pallet and plural blocks, is initially urged rearwardly by the expansive action of spring 25|. The track .members 223 and 224 have a slight rearward slope, permitting the carriage to roll to its rearward position against the arresting springs 260.

After removal of the pallet 2|5 with molded blocks 3|5 thereon, the carriage 228 can be returned and latched.

The adjustable frame 2|3 ensures proper placement of a new pallet thereon during each successive operation.

Duel springs 26D within the rearward ends of frame members 223 and 244 arrest the movement of the carriage in that direction. Similarly, a spring 26| secured, to the lug or lip 258 on cross bar 259, operates to arrest the forward movement of the carriage.

In View of the preceding description, the operation of the block-molding machine is believed reasonably clear. However, it might be well to summarize briefly the operation beginning with the movement of the mold support i6 and mold |5 to a position at the filling station, with the top mold plate 89 abutting a conventional hopper mechanism, and the supporting frame i6 disengaged from the mold, the pedal 52 being released. The mold frame I5 is clamped to the vibratory mold support by manual movement of the operating handle |58 to an inward position.

The filling operation completed and the mold released, the operator then depresses the footoperated lever 52 with a resulting upward movement of the mold support or frame I5. The mold supporting frame is then rotated through an arc of 90 into operative engagement with the press and stripper mechanism. When the notch 2|2 on the end of the mold support engages the centering lug 2|| on the pressA frame, the mold will lie directly beneath the press mechanism and the stripper plates will be aligned with the concrete lled portions of the open-ended mold.

Manual operation of the press and stripping devices, through movement of the specific lever mechanism shown in Figs. 13 and 14, results in, iirst, a gradual loosening of the blocks tenaciously held in the mold, and then a more rapid descent of the stripper plates to force the molded blocks free of the mold on to the depressible pallet 2|5. The molded blocks are suiciently heavy to depress the frame 2|3 against the counterweight 248, with consequent release of the carriage mechanism and rearward movement of the pallet to a position where the operator may readily remove the molded blocks and mold board.

Return of the mold support and mold to the filling station through an arc of 90 obviously expedites the molding operation. Elevation of the mold support by means of the foot-operated lever 52 is essential to proper placement of the mold upon the vibratory support, whereupon release of the foot-actuated lever will result in a lowering of the side frame members and detachment Vfrom the mold. The operator may quickly clamp the mold upon the vibratory support, with the positioning and centering mechanism spaced for proper reengagement following the lling and vibratory operations.

The inventor claims:

1. In a molding apparatus: an open-ended mold; a mold lling station structure; a mold stripping station structure; a support movable between said station structures for transporting filled molds from the filling station structure to the stripping station structure; means for raising or lowering said support to raise or lower the mold from or onto the lling station structure, said support being free of the mold when the mold is in operative relation upon the iilling station structure; said mold and support having cooperating parts restraining the mold from all relative movement and ensuring a definite alignment between the mold and the support; and cooperating mechanism on the mold support and stripping station structure for align'- ing the support at the stripping station structure.

2. In a molding apparatus: an open ended mold; a vibrator for the mold upon which the mold may be supported during filling; a stripping station structure; a support for the mold for transporting the filled mold to the stripping station structure; means for raising the support to lift the mold from the vibrator; cooperating aligning means restraining the mold from all relative movement on the support to ensure `that when the mold is lifted, the mold will be "in definite alignment with the support; and cooperating mechanism on the mold end of the support and stripping station structure for aligning the support at the stripping station structure.

3. In a molding apparatus: a mold; a :filling station structure for the mold; a stripping station structure for the mold; a support movable vabout a vertical axis for transporting the mold -between said structures; means for raising and lowering said support to raise and lower the mold from and upon the lling station structure; and cooperable means on said stripping station structure and support for aligning said stripping station structure and mold upon rotation of said support to said stripping station structure.

4. In a molding apparatus: a mold; a illing station structure for the mold; a stripping station structure for the mold; a support movable about a vertical axis for transporting the mold between said structures; and means for raising and lowering said support to raise and lower the mold from and upon the lling station structure.

5. In a molding apparatus: a mold; a lling station structure for supporting the mold; a stripping station structure for the mold; a'vertical column; a support rotatable upon said column for transporting the mold between said structures; and means for raising and lowering the support on'said column to raise and lower the mold from and upon the lling station structure.

6. In a molding apparatus: a mold; a lling station structure for supporting the mold; a stripping station structure for the mold; a vertical column; a support rotatable upon said column for transporting the mold between said structures; means for raising and lowering the support on said column to raise and lower the mold from and upon the filling station structure; and cooperable means on said stripping station structure and support for aligning said stripping station structure and mold upon rotation of said support to said stripping station structure.

STEPHEN FLAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 868,730 Tubesing Oct. 22, 1907 1,288,534 Dupuy Dec. 24, 1918 1,408,558 Zophy Mar. 7, 1922 1,493,732 Camp May 13, 1924 1,707,994 Rornie Apr. 9, 1929 1,899,137 Crume Feb. 28, 1933 2,319,313 Flam May 18, 1943 2,342,440 Whitsitt Feb. 22, 1944 2,353,492 OConnor July 11, 1944 2,397,695 Schutt Apr. 2, 1946 2,413,109 Leipold et al. Dec. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 72,067 Norway May 5, 1947 

